The client who routinely takes sertraline presents to the emergency department reporting muscle rigidity and tremors. the client also states that they had a cough last week that was treated with dextromethorphan. what is the appropriate nursing intervention?

The nurse should administer diazepam to the patient.

Explanation:

Sertraline is a medicine used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). . It is usually indicated to calm the patient and bring a feeling of well-being, however it can generate some side effects like insomnia, body tremors and stiffness.

To lessen these side effects it is common that the patient needs to take diazepam to reduce tremors and muscle stiffness. Importantly, diazepam should be maintained at the beginning of treatment (preferably the first 15 days) for symptomatic relief of both anxious symptoms and muscle stiffness and tremors until sertraline begins to respond therapeutically and result in symptomatic improvement. It should not be ignored that diazepam has the potential for dependence if misused and that psychotherapy, adequate nutrition and regular physical activity allowed by the clinician potentiate the effects of drug treatment.